Shaun Patrick Attwood was born on October 28, 1968, in England. From a young age, he showed an interest in economics and trading stocks. This fascination with the financial world would later guide his path towards a different kind of business - drug trafficking.
After graduating from Liverpool University in 1990 with a degree in business studies, Attwood found himself drawn into the rave scene. This seemingly innocent hobby soon morphed into a dangerous lifestyle of selling and trafficking ecstasy and other drugs from Europe to the United States. Attwood quickly gained notoriety as a drug kingpin, attracting the attention of law enforcement and rival criminal organizations like the Gambino crime family.
Attwood's criminal activities eventually caught up with him, leading to his arrest and imprisonment on drug charges. While behind bars, he began writing the first-ever prison blog, known as Jon's Jail Journal. This marked the beginning of his transformation from drug trafficker to advocate for sobriety, improved prison conditions, and a law-abiding lifestyle.
Upon his release from prison, Attwood launched his self-titled YouTube channel, where he shares his experiences as a former inmate and the stories of those impacted by true crime. His channel has amassed over 850,000 subscribers and features interviews with prominent figures such as Richard Dawkins, Robbie Williams, and Chris Hansen.
Attwood has taken his message of rehabilitation and prisoner rights to various platforms, including TEDx Talks and appearances on BBC, Sky News, and CNN. He has spoken at the University of St. Gallen about finding happiness in the face of long prison sentences, drawing from his own experiences of waiting to be sentenced for up to 200 years.
Attwood's mother is Barbara Attwood, and he has relied on the support of his relatives, even borrowing money from them to pursue his early interest in investing. In 2013, he was romantically linked to partner Callie Meakin.
Shaun Patrick Attwood's journey from drug kingpin to advocate has captivated audiences worldwide, shedding light on the challenges faced by prisoners and the importance of second chances.